Mohammed Siraj Lord’s Test Heartbreak: ‘Getting That Close and Losing Was Devastating’
Mohammed Siraj stood hunched over his bat, stunned and heartbroken. The Lord’s crowd rose to applaud, but the India fast bowler had no strength to soak it in. He had just batted for 64 minutes and faced 29 balls, forming an improbable last-wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja that brought India agonisingly close to a miraculous draw. Then came the cruelest twist: a perfectly middled forward defence against Shoaib Bashir rolled back to hit the stumps. Mohammed Siraj Lord’s Test heartbreak
That moment, etched in the minds of Indian fans, became one of the defining visuals of the 2025 India-England Test series. It wasn’t just about the loss—it was about how close India came to pulling off the improbable.
“Getting that close and losing was heartbreaking,” said Siraj in an interview days after the match. “The way me and Jaddu bhai were batting, it never felt like I could get out. I was that confident. And to get out even after middling the ball—that’s the kind of thing that hurts even more.”
🏏 The Final Stand at Lord’s
The Lord’s Test had started looking like a lost cause on the final day. At one stage, India looked set to lose by 80+ runs. But through sheer grit, determination, and resistance from the lower order, India managed to push the match beyond Tea. The last pair—Siraj and Jadeja—frustrated England’s bowlers, blunted the new ball, and momentarily shifted the tension back to the hosts. Mohammed Siraj Lord’s Test heartbreak
“If we had lost by 80, that would have been fine,” Siraj admitted. “But when you take the game that deep, that close, and then still lose—it hurts more. Still, I told myself there are two more Tests to go. We have to move forward.”
🧠 Mental Reset: From Pain to Perspective
Siraj’s emotional openness after the match shows not just his growth as a player, but his strength as a person. He quickly transitioned from heartbreak to motivation. His mindset going into the remaining matches is one of faith, focus, and resilience. Mohammed Siraj Lord’s Test heartbreak
“The series is not over yet,” he said. “We’ve shown fight, and now we want to win. These next matches should be fun.”
It’s this ability to bounce back that makes Siraj a vital cog in the Indian Test setup. As a bowler, he’s used to tough days—spells without wickets, near-misses, and umpire’s calls going against him. At Lord’s, he beat the bat repeatedly, especially troubling Joe Root, but was denied by the finest of margins.
“I’ve been bowling really well, but luck hasn’t been on my side,” Siraj explained. “When I beat someone like Root, draw edges and still don’t get a wicket, it gets frustrating. But I know I have to stay patient. Upar wala dekh raha hai [The one above is watching]. If He brought me this far, He will take me further too.”
🎯 Discipline Over Desperation
Siraj has learned that chasing wickets often leads to disaster. Despite not getting scalps, he refuses to bowl fuller just to tempt batters. Instead, his focus is on maintaining pressure, believing that either he or someone else at the other end will reap the reward.
“If I go searching for wickets, I’ll leak runs,” he said. “I just want to keep bowling good balls. If I get the wickets, great. If someone else does because of the pressure I create, that’s also a win for the team.”
This selfless bowling philosophy is what makes Siraj such an asset. He doesn’t chase numbers; he chases impact. Mohammed Siraj Lord’s Test heartbreak
📊 Siraj’s Workload: Quiet Warrior of the Indian Attack
While much of the workload talk this series has centered around Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj has quietly put in the hard yards. He has now played 24 of India’s last 27 Tests and has already bowled over 100 overs in this series alone.
Yet, there’s no complaint—only gratitude and purpose.
“I’m thankful that God has kept me healthy,” Siraj said. “The numbers might say I’ve bowled a lot, but for me, it’s another opportunity. I want to do well, help my team win, and when I go to sleep, I should feel I gave my 100%, no matter what the result was.”
📍 Looking Ahead: Two More Tests to Turn the Tide
With the series delicately poised and two more Tests to go, India still has the chance to script a memorable overseas win. Siraj’s confidence, hunger, and emotional investment suggest he will be central to any such turnaround. Mohammed Siraj Lord’s Test heartbreak
And he knows what it means to turn pain into performance. He’s done it before—on tours of Australia, in England, and at home. He’s ready to do it again.
“You just have to keep going. The next ball, the next spell—that’s what matters. That’s where you get your answers.”
🏁 Final Word
Mohammed Siraj’s Lord’s heartbreak may go down as one of the most emotional moments of this series, but it also reveals what makes him a fighter. His approach to bowling—rooted in patience and discipline—his humility in the face of frustration, and his absolute commitment to team success mark him out as a true leader in India’s new-generation pace attack. Mohammed Siraj Lord’s Test heartbreak
As India looks to bounce back in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Siraj’s mindset could be just as important as his skills.
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